Chapter 38: Love Me or Hate Me

"Sesshomaru's trial isn't until sundown," Inu Kimi said, addressing her mate who was downing his third cup of whiskey for the day. Hearing an infant cry she glanced over at Izayoi and rolled her eyes at seeing the woman rock the fussing half-breed in an attempt to soothe him. Honestly, why Taisho had even brought this human bitch into their home she had never understood. Ever since that milk ball of hers had been born they had been building up defenses for the possible backfire having a half demon born into nobility was sure to cause. In the past half bred creatures had been killed on sight, but now in modern times they were generally sneered at but ultimately accepted. Having dignified blood in his veins meant he probably wouldn't be looked down upon, in public anyway.

"Kimi quit trying to stare Inuyasha to death and-and focus on what's about to happen to your child," Shin'ichi ordered. Joining his son at the hotel room's wet bar, his eye twitched when the boy moved the bottle of liquor away from his father, pouring himself another glass. Giving a low growl the man stared at him and relented, finally passing the whiskey back and handing the old man a crystal glass as well.

"Put some ice in it boy,"

Taisho did so without question, still not saying a word. The old man poured his drink and tossed it back agily. Putting a second shot in his cup, Shin'ichi let it rest on top the oak bar and eyed his son who was leaning heavily on the structure. The man had been drinking heavily for the past three days, since the moment they landed in Croatia. Remembering his tirade of expletives and damnation of Kagome, he silently patted himself on the back for thinking to have her and Teruo flown in via the airport rather than join them on their private aircraft. The ruling Lord had adamantly refused to allow the demoness anywhere near his family, his home, and especially Sesshomaru. He blamed her entirely for this incident, even though he had told the boy multiple times that she had been dead during the ordeal. The only reason the woman was even in Pula was because they had no idea she was here. Kagome had to swear she wouldn't reveal herself to them until the last possible moment, which would be at his grandson's trial come nightfall. Taking a sip of his second drink Kimi clearing her throat forced him to turn around to his first step daughter.

"What is it my girl?" he inquired nicely.

"You know as well as I do that Sesshomaru is not only being accused of murder, but of your attempted assassination,"

"I'm well aware Kimi," He replied.

"Yes, but if he lost control of his instincts as you claim, why did you not ask them to drop that charge?"

"Because it is all apart of my plan to keep the boy from an early trip to the afterlife."

"And what plan is this? You have continuously spoke of something that will save my son from…"

"Kimi, Father, enough." Inu no Taisho suddenly spoke, gaining everyone in the rooms attention.

"Taisho!" Kimi began only to be silenced by her mate's glare.

"Do not question me"

"Ever since we received word that Sesshomaru, our son committed murder you have had nothing to say except that this is all this strange woman's fault."

"Kimi!" Taisho bellowed while banging his palm on the table, causing the glasses to shake and Inuyasha to cry.

"No!" she insisted.

"Woman I am warning you…"

"No! I have had little to no voice in years and now that I may lose my child there is nothing keeping me from speaking my mind!"

Inu no Taisho remained staring at his first mate. Waiting for her to continue with her little rant.

"My entire life has been to serve not only the Western lands but you as well! For thirty years I have remained by your side, faithfully while you were so self-absorbed that you forgot I was also forced to marry young, in fact, a year younger!"

"What the hell are you…."

"Shut up!" Kimi hollered.

"Kimi please," Izayoi suddenly pleaded, Inuyasha began crying harder forcing her to take him into the adjourning bedroom slamming the door shut behind her.

"Kimi, that is quite enough," Shin'ichi said. Tempers were very high in this moment, as much as he wanted to reveal his plan, he couldn't risk them interfering with it, especially since the female they blamed so much for this situation was a vital part if they had any chance of pulling it off.

"Agreed," Taisho said gratefully

"And you boy shut up and keep drinking. Hopefully, the whiskey dick will keep you faithful while we're here." the old man stated while giving Kimi a wink. It was about time she said something about his son's behaviors if he had let her continue though they would have been there all night.

Inu Kimi looked at her step father surprised. He had never stood up for her before. In the wake of her son's upcoming demise, the demoness gave the elderly man a pure smile no one had seen in years.

A/N: There we go, Kimi isn't so bad, she's just a woman stuck in a bad situation. Even if Izayoi is technically his second wife, it means he cheated on his first one to fall in love with her. I would have let her rant on about what a bad husband Taisho is, but I figure you people already hate him enough, I didn't need chronic infidelity to the list. Lol please continue to review. I don't know how I really feel about this chapter, it just seemed wrong for some reason, but I needed to show how his parents are taking the news that their son is a convicted murderer.